ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will become the highest paid player in MLS history after agreeing a whopping £5.7million salary for next season, according to reports.

The wage overtakes the previous record wage of £5.6m paid to Sebastian Giovinco in 2017 and 2018.

The 37-year-old will more than quadruple his money this campaign in the MLS, after being paid a modest £1.2m last year.

The Swede's new earnings are not undeserved, considering he's scored 33 goals in 39 appearances since signing for LA Galaxy.

Some of his goals have been incredible and lit up the division, including the half-volley from 40 yards on his debut, or the acrobatic effort which saw him hit the back of the net for the 500th time in his illustrious career.

All of this comes without even mentioning the huge media presence his unique personality has brought to the league.

He's starred on the Jimmy Kimmel Show twice, and a YouTube video of his appearance on it has over 11million views.

The MLS Players Association have revealed that the average base salary for all players in 2019 is £296,000, so the Swedish star's income dwarfs those of his fellow professionals.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the average take-home for senior roster non-designated players has increased by over 150 per cent from £110,000 to £274,000 between 2014 and 2019.

So the division is seeing a clear influx of money.

What may come as a surprise is that English star Wayne Rooney earns less than half the amount Ibrahimovic brings home, which results to under £2.8m a year.

Top 10 Earners

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy £5.7m)

2. Michael Bradley (Toronto £4.8m)

3. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago £4.4m)

4. Jozy Altidore (Toronto £3.9m)

5. Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy £3.8m)

6. Carlos Vela (LAFC £3.6m)

7. Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto £3m)

8. Wayne Rooney (DC United £2.8m)

9. Josef Martinez (Atlanta £2.4m)

10. Nani (Orlando City SC £1.8m)

Commenting on the situation, MLSPA Executive Director Bob Foose has said, "As the League grows and revenues increase, it’s critical that we see this kind of continued investment in player compensation up and down the roster".

The new data also reveals a growth of over 10 per cent per year in salary for players 10-18 on the roster over the the last five years.

The executive director went on to say, "I feel good about these trends", and expects to see them to "continue".

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